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Iroquois Ridge Law Symposium
On December 3, 2003, students at Iroquois Ridge Secondary School in Oakville
presented an exciting law symposium – “The Challenges Facing the Canadian Legal
System in Canada”. Drawing 450 students from 20 high schools in southern Ontario, it
was an excellent day of sessions, speakers, dialogue and thought.
A planning committee of 10 students organized the Symposium. Selected from among 40
Iroquois Ridge student applicants, the committee brought together an impressive array of
speakers and attracted the support of local sponsors. The day was opened by a talented
brass band followed by a keynote address by the Chief Justice of Ontario, the Honourable
R. Roy McMurtry. In a one-hour session, including questions, the Chief Justice touched
upon a range of issues and challenges related to the administration of justice in our
society.
After the opening session, the symposium participants broke into smaller groups – one of
which included a small group question and answer session with the Chief Justice. Other
sessions included:
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“Freedom of Expression” with Ben Chin, CBC News Anchor
“Challenges in Family Law” with John Cox, Family Lawyer
“Law Reform” with Nathalie Des Rosiers, President of the Law Reform
Commission of Canada
“Court Reform and Civil Litigation” with Derrick Fulton of the private bar;
“Young Offenders” with David Harris, a criminal lawyer
“Wrongfully Convicted” with Vivian Jacob of the Association in Defense of the
Wrongly Accused
“Changes Facing International Law” with Graham Reynolds Q.C. of the
Department of Justice
“Canadian & International Changes in the Laws Affecting Drug Policy” with Dr.
D. Riley, Founding member of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy
“Legal Challenges Facing Abortion” with a representative of the Morgentaler
Abortion Clinic
“Media’s Shaping of Public Policy” with Tracy Tyler, Legal Affairs Reporter of
the Toronto Star
“Organized Crime & the Proceeds of Crime” with Rosemary Warren, Senior
Counsel for Criminal Prosecution
Ontario Justice Education Network
www.ojen.ca
Just before a closing raffle at 2:00 p.m., Nathalie Des Rosiers, President of the Law
Reform Commission of Canada, provided the students with continuing food for thought
in her endnote address.
No doubt this December 3rd symposium served as an important turning point for more
than one student participant. This excellent and effective student-driven initiative could
be replicated in its own creative modalities in other parts of the province. If there is
interest and enthusiasm – here is a way it can brilliantly channeled.
Ontario Justice Education Network
www.ojen.ca
Ontario Justice Education Network
www.ojen.ca